Project outline for the first human head transplantation with spinal linkage

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by zizee on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @01:32AM (#7803042)

If they can successfully do this, it raises interesting questions/opportunities to grow a brainless clone of yourself in a vat, then transplant your head from your elderly body onto a fresh new body.

I don't think the transfer will necessarily make your brain young and fresh again, but it might have unexpected positive effects:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9615779/Transfusion-of-you... http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130325093659.ht...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by Cthulhu_ on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @03:27AM (#7803315)

There have been experiments that show getting 'young' blood transfused has a rejuvinating effect; might be that works on the brain too to some degree. But for now, there will be limits. Not to mention moral issues - is a clone of you sentient? Can you kill it off in order to preserve your own self?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by adrianN on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @03:41AM (#7803350)

If it is a brainless clone then it's not sentient. I don't see the moral issue. It's the same as growing a replacement organ, you just grow all of them at once.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by JetSpiegel on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @05:34AM (#7803643)

> There have been experiments that show getting 'young' blood transfused has a rejuvinating effect

As proven in the seminal paper by Stoker, B

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by zizee on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @08:18AM (#7804040)

There have been experiments that show getting 'young' blood transfused has a rejuvinating effect

Indeed, those links I supplied in my original comment were to that effect.

moral issues - is a clone of you sentient

Definitely an interesting issue, but one I tried to head off by writing "brainless clone" in my original comment. I guess there would be moral questions about how one could create a clone without a brain. The easiest would be to interfere with the fetus to cause brain death, which does introduce the moral quandary.

Personally, I would say that a clone with its brain intact should be considered it's own person. A clone would essentially be your identical twin, just a different age. It would not be ok to kill off your twin, even if they have a goatee :-)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by pling on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @03:39AM (#7803347)

I understand that your brain isn't designed to last forever either and will eventually give out so what's the point?

My wife's grandmother is still hanging on at 96 and is completely batshit. She's stated that she enjoys this as everything is always new and interesting even if she heard it 30 minutes ago.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Project outline for the first human head transplantation ... by Houshalter on Tuesday May 27, 2014 @07:18AM (#7803857)

Most people die long before their brain gives out. It could extend your life 20+ years so it's definitely worth considering. It also means the only thing we have to worry about is your brain, not a dozen other organs which are now easily expendable.

[ Parent | on HN ]